Universal safety foot holder for water-skiing

ABSTRACT

A foot holder for practicing water skiing includes a soft foot holder body mounted on a rigid sole that can be attached to a water ski. The holder includes a deformable liner provided with a tongue, covering the top of the foot, the heel, the ankle and the lower leg. A device for tightening the liner includes a rear panel secured by its base to the rigid sole and extended laterally by two bands which cross over on the tongue in such a manner so as to cover at least the ankle and a portion of the instep.

The present invention relates to the area of equipment used for practising all disciplines of water skiing (slalom, jumping, speed . . . ) and other “gliding” water sports such as mono-skiing, ski boarding or wakeboarding. It relates more especially to the area of foot holders supporting the foot on the ski.

Two types of foot holder are currently used: hard-shell boots and foot holders with a soft liner, mounted on a rigid sole. The hard-shell boots can be pivoted at the level of the ankle and are closed by means of adjustable straps that are supported by the shell, following the example of alpine skiing. A soft inner shoe is inserted into the shell so as to provide the necessary comfort. The rigidity of the shell ensures that the foot and the ankle are supported and allows an efficient transmission of the movements driven by the skier, from the leg to the ski. Generally speaking, the boot is supported on the ski by means of a releasable binding system; this is called a “safety” system as it is designed to release the boot manually but also spontaneously in the event of a collision. The releasable safety bindings are mounted on the ski, and when they are operational, the locking member is supported on a projection of the hard shell at the level of the heel of the boot.

The other type of equipment currently used comprises a foot holder formed by a soft foot holder body, which accommodates the foot, and a rigid sole, which includes the means for binding it to the ski. However, due to their softness, these foot holders have a certain number of drawbacks, which restrict their use.

On the one hand, they are under performing as they hold the foot in position in a poor manner, in particular at the level of the ankle. To play its role properly, this equipment must be well adjusted to the foot of the user. The foot holder must hug the anatomy of each skier and at the same time must provide comfort and support. The size, but also the width of the foot holder must be properly adapted to each user. The lateral movements of the foot or of the ankle must be transmitted to the ski to allow efficient edge setting. Up to now, the closure systems of the soft foot holders do not anticipate the possibility of a width adjustment, often leaving a gap between the foot and the foot holder. The softness of the foot holder added to the internal play of the foot hinders the cohesion of the leg and the ski, thereby greatly restricting the manageability and reactivity of the ski.

The present invention provides a solution to this problem by proposing for the practice of water skiing or any other analogous “gliding” water sport, a universal foot holder providing excellent support of the foot whatever the build of the user. The foot holder according to the invention is in fact provided with adjustable closing means, enabling an exact adjustment on the ankle and the foot. Another advantage follows on from this possibility of adjusting the closure, as it then becomes possible for skiers with different anatomies to use the same foot holder. In particular, people of any age, with different sizes and widths of foot, will be able to tighten the adjustable binding more or less strongly to obtain the desired support. This is, moreover, going to reduce the cost of the equipment, which is relatively high for seasonal use, all the more as this sport is increasingly appreciated by young people who have not finished growing, which means that they have to change their boots each season. To improve the lateral support, in addition to tightening the foot holder, a rigid reinforcement system can be provided at the level of the ankle.

On the other hand, the known soft foot holders are not provided with safety bindings suited for releasing the ski in the event of collision. In fact, due to their softness, they do not provide any support at the level of the heel for the locking member of the safety binding. More often, during a fall, it is both the ski and the foot holder that are snatched off the skier's foot, the boot strap representing the slackest point. With the improved support of the foot obtained by the foot holder according to the invention, it is the connection between the foot holder and the ski that must give first of all, otherwise there will be an increase in the number of injuries in people learning to ski. The question of safety is therefore the inevitable consequence of the proper use of the foot holder according to the invention.

The present invention eliminates these drawbacks by proposing, for the practice of water skiing or of any other analogous “gliding” water sport, a comfortable, universal soft foot holder which provides excellent support of the foot whatever the build, and maintains the level of safety provided by hard-shell boots. This result is obtained by taking advantage in a new and original manner of the association of the properties of the softness of the liner and the rigidity of the sole, as will be demonstrated below.

More precisely, the object of the invention is a foot holder for the practice of a water sport such as water skiing or a derivative thereof, the said foot holder formed by a soft foot holder body accommodating the foot, the said foot holder body being mounted on a rigid sole which is provided with means for the binding to a water ski or derivative thereof, the said foot holder body including a deformable liner provided with a tongue, covering the top of the foot, the heel, the ankle and the lower leg, and the means for tightening the said liner, characterised in that the said means for tightening include a rear panel which is secured by its base to the rigid sole and is extended laterally by two bands which cross over on the tongue in such a manner so as to cover at least the ankle and a portion of the instep, each of the said cross-over bands being provided with an independent adjustable strap.

The term ski refers to all the types of boards, used individually or in pairs, for the practice of a water sport, that-is-to-say a sport gliding on the surface of an expanse of water. Such a sport, generally speaking, requires a means of traction such as a motor boat or a motorised cable. By way of example, we can talk about water skiing, mono-skiing, ski boarding, wakeboarding or similar.

The soft foot holder according to the present invention includes a foot holder body and a sole, joined together in accordance with an assembly known in itself. The foot holder body is produced from one or several layers of a soft material that is water-resistant and mechanically strong, such as rubber. The sole is produced from a rigid, rust-proof material, which cannot be pulled out of shape by the effect of the forces applied during use, such as aluminium. It includes one or several plates assembled to form the sole proper and around the sole, a bar holding the foot holder body to the sole. The rigid sole is usually provided with a protective inner sole, for example made of rubber.

Means for binding the foot holder to the ski are provided at the front and at the rear of the foot holder according to the present invention. These means can interact with a manual opening device such as is conventionally used for the binding of soft foot holders, or rather they can be advantageously designed to interact with a spontaneous-release safety binding, such as will be described below.

The foot holder body acquires its shape substantially by means of the liner covering the top of the foot, the heel, the ankle and the lower leg. The liner is provided with a tongue cut out on the instep allowing a larger opening for the foot to pass through and for the means of tightening the said liner.

According to the invention, the means for tightening include a rear panel which is secured by its base to the rigid sole and is extended laterally by two bands which cross over on the tongue in such a manner so as to cover at least the ankle and a part of the instep, each of the said cross-over bands being provided with an independent adjustable strap. Thus, once the foot is in position, the user can adjust the tightness of the foot holder as he wants and can obtain perfect support.

The rear panel is produced from one or several layers of a soft, strong material or from several materials assembled together, such as, for example, rubber, synthetic fabrics or sheets of synthetic non-woven fabric material.

In an advantageous manner, on the foot holder according to the invention, each of the adjustable straps includes a buckle, which is secured to the end of a cross-over band, and a belt strap, the length of which is adjustable, secured to the rigid sole and interacting with the said buckle. In practice, the length of the belt strap is adjusted by sliding the buckle as much or as little as required on the belt strap and then securing it in that position. A cleat buckle, for example, can be used for this purpose, jamming on a notched belt strap, or more conventionally a tongue buckle and a belt strap pierced with holes. Adjustable straps such as those used for securing boots on a snowboard are also suitable. The belt strap secured to the rigid sole, by means of screw-connection or by another means, provides excellent resistance to traction when the buckle is tightened.

In practice, each of the cross-over bands is adjusted with the force required. The skier tightens a first cross-over band which is going to be partially covered by the second cross-over band, the one therefore being the inner band and the other being the outer band. So as not to interfere with the adjusting means, it is necessary for the two buckles to remain accessible even once the cross-over bands have been placed in position. This is why, of preference, the outer cross-over band includes an indentation at the level of the buckle of the inner cross-over band, so that the said buckle is always accessible.

According to another characteristic of the present invention, the foot holder for water sports also includes means for tightening the upper. This allows the adjustment of the foot holder to be completed at the level of the metatarsus.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for tightening the upper include two lateral bands which are secured to the sole, each band being provided with a buckle and a belt strap, forming an adjustable strap. The same type of strap can be used for tightening the cross-over bands and the upper.

According to another characteristic, the foot holder for water sports of the present invention includes means for encouraging the sliding of the said means for tightening on the said liner, including two polished sheets secured to the sole between the said liner and the said means for tightening. These slippery sheets, in an advantageous manner, are small strips produced from smooth plastics material.

According to another characteristic which is especially interesting, the foot holder for water sports according to the present invention includes means for restricting the movements of the ankle, comprising two plates secured to the exterior of the foot holder at right angles to the plane of the sole directly below the ankle, the maximum height of which is equal to the height of the soft liner on the leg. These plates are rigid, rising on both sides of the foot up to the level of the ankle approximately, and provide a physical limit to the lateral flexion of the ankle which, without the said plates, would result in the deformation of the soft foot holder and not in the transmission of movement to the ski.

According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the said means restricting the movements of the ankle also include a reinforcing member forming a bridge which brings the upper portion of the said plates and the back of the ankle together.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the said means restricting the movements of the ankle also include an adjustable strap which brings the upper portion of the said plates and the front of the ankle together. Thus the lateral movements of the ankle, just as the forwards-backwards movements, are restricted by the ring formed by the plates, the rear reinforcement and the strap and this allows the skier to direct his ski (or his skis) with greater reactivity and precision.

Another characteristic, which is particularly advantageous, is that the foot holder for water sports according to the invention is provided with means for the binding of the sole to the ski, which means interact with a releasable safety binding device. As already indicated, known soft foot holders up to now have not met this requirement. Releasable safety binding devices of the type used for mountain cross-country skiing and for water skiing with hard-shell boots, can be used here in an advantageous manner. The expert knows how to manufacture them and install them suitably on the skis. The problem here is to provide the means for locking such a binding on a soft foot holder. The solution proposed consists in transposing the said means on a rigid sole, in return for certain adaptations.

Thus, according to a specific embodiment of the foot holder for water sports according to the invention, the sole includes at the rear a member which protrudes and serves as a support means for a locking member of a releasable safety binding device.

The said protruding member is preferably supported by an arch, the arms of which are secured laterally to the sole. Such a configuration ensures solidity whatever befalls the whole unit. The said protruding member is preferably raised compared with the plane of the sole, such that forces are exerted on the device of the invention in the same manner as for the known devices, guaranteeing functioning with no new adjustments, notably as regards the spontaneous release during a fall or a collision. The skier can therefore have peace of mind when equipping himself with this new foot holder and can practise his favourite sport in the best and safest conditions.

The characteristics described here each contribute to creating a soft universal foot holder that is comfortable and performs well. The foot holder according to the invention preferably includes more than one of these characteristics and ideally it includes them all. Thus, a foot holder for water sports is claimed, the said foot holder being formed by a soft foot holder body accommodating the foot, and being mounted on a rigid sole which is provided with means for the binding to a water ski or to a derivative thereof, the said foot holder body including a deformable liner provided with a tongue, covering the top of the foot, the heel, the ankle and the lower leg, and the means for tightening the said liner, the said foot holder being characterised in that it includes at least two of the following means:

means for tightening including a rear panel secured by its base to the rigid sole and extended laterally by two bands which cross over on the tongue in such a manner so as to cover at least the ankle and a portion of the instep, each of the said cross-over bands being provided with an independent adjustable strap;

-   b) means for tightening the upper; -   c) means for encouraging the sliding of the means for tightening on     the liner; -   d) means for restricting the movements of the ankle; -   e) means for the binding of the sole to the ski or to a derivative     thereof, including means interacting with a releasable safety     binding device.

The object of the present invention is also equipment for practising a gliding water sport including at least one ski or derivative thereof; at least one foot holder for water skiing according to the invention; and at least one releasable safety binding device interacting with the said at least one foot holder, installed on the said at least one ski.

The foot holder according to the invention can be used individually, as a pair or associated with an additional means of support for the foot on a ski or a derivative thereof, for practising a gliding water sport, such as water skiing, mono-skiing, ski boarding or other gliding sports on water.

The aim of the examples which follow is to allow the invention to be better understood without restricting it in any way. The Figures illustrate the embodiments of the foot holder for water skiing according to the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side view in perspective of a first foot holder according to the invention and of a releasable security binding system.

FIG. 2 is a side view in perspective of a second foot holder according to the invention, the outer cross-over band with the indentation being visible.

FIG. 3 is a side view in perspective of a third foot holder according to the invention, said foot holder being provided notably with means for restricting the movements of the ankle.

The foot holder represented in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 includes the soft foot holder body 1 for accommodating the foot of the skier, the said foot holder body being mounted on the rigid sole 2. The soft foot holder body 1 includes the deformable liner 3, which is provided with the tongue 4, covering the top of the foot, the heel, the ankle and the lower leg, and the means for tightening the liner 3. The foot holder body 1 and the sole 2 are fixedly joined together using the screws 18. The foot holder body 1 is produced from several layers of rubber. The sole 2 is produced from aluminium. It is formed from several plates joined together to form the sole proper and around the sole, the bar 19 holding the foot holder body 1 to the sole 2. The rigid sole 2 is provided with a protective rubber inside sole.

The means for tightening the liner 3 include the rear panel 5, which is secured by its base to the rigid sole 2 and is extended laterally by the two bands 6 and 6′, which cross over on the tongue 4 so as to cover the ankle and a portion of the instep. Each of the cross-over bands 6 and 6′ is provided with an independent adjustable strap 7. The outer cross-over band 6 partially covers the inner cross-over band 6′. The straps 7 each include a buckle 8, which is secured to the end of the cross-over band 6 or 6′, and a notched belt strap 9, which is secured to the rigid sole 2 by the screw 22 and interacts with the buckle 8.

FIG. 2 shows a foot holder in which the outer cross-over band 6 includes the indentation 10 at the level of the buckle 8 on the inner cross-over band 6′ so as not to cover the said buckle, which therefore remains accessible.

The foot holder for water sports according to the invention, represented in this case, includes the means for tightening the upper 11, completing the adjustment of the foot holder at the level of the metatarsal. The said means are formed by two lateral bands 12, which are secured to the sole 2. The lateral bands 12 are each provided with the buckle 8′ and the belt strap 9′, forming the adjustable strap 7′. The same type of strap is used in this case for tightening the cross-over bands 6 and 6′ and the upper 11.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the foot holder for water sports according to the present invention includes two pads 13 made of smooth plastics material secured to the sole 2 between the upper 3 and the cross-over bands 6 and 6′ on both sides of the foot holder. This encourages the sliding of the cross-over bands 6 and 6′ on the upper 3 when being tightened.

In FIG. 3, the foot holder for water sports includes means for restricting the movements of the ankle. Two rigid plates 14 are secured to the exterior of the foot holder, at right angles to the plane of the sole 2, directly below the ankle, up to a height that is likely to be equal to the height of the soft liner 3 on the leg. The plates 14 rise up therefore on both sides of the foot up to the level of the ankle approximately. A reinforcing member 15 forms a bridge bringing the upper part of the plates 14 and the rear of the ankle together. The adjustable strap 7″ brings the upper part of the plates 14 and the front of the ankle together.

All foot holders for water sports are obviously provided with means for binding them to the ski. According to the particular embodiment represented in this case, it is the sole 2 of the foot holder according to the invention that is provided with the means for binding to the ski 200, at the front and at the back. At the front of the foot holder, the notches 20 are made in the sole 2 so that the said notches lock when abutting the two solid knobs 21 on the ski 200, as shown in FIG. 2. At the back of the foot holder, the means allowing the foot holder to be secured to the ski 200, interact with the releasable safety binding device 101, similar to that used for cross-country skis, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The means enabling the foot holder to be secured at the back include the protruding member 16, which acts as a support means for the locking member 102 of the releasable safety binding device 101. The protruding member 16 is supported by the arch 17, the arms of which are secured laterally to the sole 2, by means of screw connection. It is raised in comparison with the plane of the sole 2. 

1. Foot holder for practising a water sport such as water skiing or a derivative thereof, said foot holder formed by a soft foot holder body (1) accommodating the foot, the said foot holder body being mounted on a rigid sole (2) which is provided with means for the binding (100) to a water ski or derivative thereof (200), the said foot holder body including a deformable liner (3) provided with a tongue (4), covering the top of the foot, the heel, the ankle and the lower leg, and the means for tightening the said liner, characterised in that the said means for tightening include a rear panel (5) which is secured by its base to the rigid sole (2) and is extended laterally by two bands (6, 6′) which cross over on the tongue (4) in such a manner so as to cover at least the ankle and a portion of the instep, each of the said cross-over bands being provided with an independent adjustable strap (7).
 2. Foot holder for water sports according to claim 1, characterised in that each of the adjustable straps (7) includes a buckle (8), which is secured to the end of one of the said cross-over bands, and a belt strap (9), the length of which is adjustable, secured to the rigid sole (2) and interacting with the said buckle.
 3. Foot holder for water sports according to claim 2, characterised in that the outer cross-over band (6) includes an indentation (10) at the level of the buckle (8) of the inner cross-over band (6′), such that the said buckle is always accessible.
 4. Foot holder for water sports according to claim 1, characterised in that the said foot holder also includes the means for tightening the upper (11).
 5. Foot holder for water sports according to claim 4, characterised in that the means for tightening the upper (11) include two lateral bands (12) which are secured to the sole (2), each band being provided with a buckle (8′) and a belt strap (9′) forming an adjustable strap (7′).
 6. Foot holder for water sports according to claim 1, characterised in that the said foot holder includes means for encouraging the sliding of the said means for tightening on the liner (1), including two polished sheets (13) secured to the sole (2) between the said liner and the said means for tightening.
 7. Foot holder for water sports according to claim 1, characterised in that the said foot holder also includes means for restricting the movements of the ankle, comprising two plates (14) secured to the exterior of the foot holder at right angles to the plane of the sole (2) directly below the ankle, the maximum height of which is equal to the height of the soft liner (1) on the leg.
 8. Foot holder for water sports according to claim 7, characterised in that the said means restricting the movements of the ankle also include a reinforcing member (15) forming a bridge which brings the upper portion of the said plates and the back of the ankle together.
 9. Foot holder for water sports according to claim 7, characterised in that the said means restricting the movements of the ankle also include an adjustable strap (7″) which brings the upper portion of the said plates and the front of the ankle together.
 10. Foot holder for water sports according to claim 1, characterised in that the said means for the binding (100) of the sole (2) to the ski or a derivative thereof (200) include means which interact with a releasable safety binding device (101).
 11. Foot holder for water sports according to claim 10, characterised in that the sole (2) includes at the rear a member which protrudes (16) and serves as a support means for a locking member (102) of a releasable safety binding (100).
 12. Foot holder for water sports according to claim 11, characterised in that the said protruding member (16) is supported by an arch (17), the arms of which are secured laterally to the sole (2).
 13. Foot holder for water sports according to claim 11, characterised in that the said protruding member (16) is raised compared with the plane of the sole (2).
 14. Foot holder for water sports formed by a soft foot holder body (1) accommodating the foot, the said foot holder body being mounted on a rigid sole (2) which is provided with means for the binding (100) to a water ski or derivative thereof (200), the said foot holder body including a deformable liner (3) provided with a tongue (4), covering the top of the foot, the heel, the ankle and the lower leg, and the means for tightening the said liner, characterised in that the said foot holder includes at least two of the following means: a) means for tightening including a rear panel (5) secured by its base to the rigid sole (2) and extended laterally by two bands (6, 6′) which crossover on the tongue (4) in such a manner so as to cover at least the ankle and a portion of the instep, each of the said cross-over bands being provided with an independent adjustable strap (7); b) means for tightening the upper (11); c) means for encouraging the sliding of the means for tightening on the liner (3); d) means for restricting the movements of the ankle; e) means for the binding of the sole (2) to the ski or a derivative thereof (200) including means interacting with a releasable safety binding device (100).
 15. Equipment for practising a gliding water sport including at least one ski or derivative thereof (200); at least one foot holder for water skiing according to claim 1; and at least one releasable safety binding device (100) interacting with the said at least one foot holder, installed on the said at least one ski.
 16. (canceled) 